The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels (For Easy Fishing)

Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel

The Okuma Ceymar ultralight spinning reel is solidly built. Each part is made from high-quality materials; from the graphite body to the machine cut brass pinion gear.

Okuma has included some new technology in their Ceymar series. The precision elliptical gear system creates less friction, which helps to make a longer cast and increased accuracy as well as smoother drag pressure. The cyclonic flow rotor design increases airflow,  minimizing water intrusion and corrosion. It also comes with a quick anti-reverse, which lets you engage and hook a fish immediately.

The anti-reverse switch has a tendency to snap off in rare cases and after consistent use, a noise can start to sound in the gears. These issues are rare though, so don’t write this spinning reel off just based on that.

Daiwa BG Spinning Reel

Daiwa has put a lot of technology and durability into this ultralight spinning reel. Its robust design means it is actually labeled as a saltwater reel but comes in sizes perfect for freshwater too. The aluminum body, dynamic cut ABS spool, and the Digigear System make this a silky smooth reel.

With a large diameter braid ready spool, you can be confident of your line lay and expect no bunching, while also being able to stack a lot of line on there. The large roller and pick up on the bail helps to alleviate line twist and any looping, making it smooth casting all day long. The drag is waterproof and tough and is ready for any saltwater or freshwater experience.

The reels are a little heavier than others in their class. Daiwa could have made the spinning reel with lighter materials but it would have increased the price point.

The bail roller can corrode when the ultralight spinning reel is used in saltwater, they are easy to replace but it could become a headache.

Shimano Stradic Ci4+

This reel comes with all the bells and whistles, and it is a Shimano, surprise. It includes the HAGANE gear system and the G Free Body system like the Sedona F1 and it has a lot more to offer.

This ultralight spinning reel is built to last. Instead of being made with graphite, the core consists of a super light but strong carbon body. It also includes all-weather water resistance, making sure it survives season after season. The carbon also makes the reel super lightweight which you will love when you are casting all day long.

It comes with X-Ship, which is a technology from Shimano that increases gear efficiency, making a big difference when you are trying to pull up a big fish. Shimano always makes a smooth reel and that is thanks to the bearings. The bearings in this spinning reel are shielded, protecting them from dirt, salt, and water so the smoothness lasts.

The spool includes a grooved power roller which is excellent in line management and stopping twists and wind knots. It has a lot of drag power and is probably overkill for trout but it does mean you can double up and use it in the salt against some bigger fish.

Even though this reel seems to come with everything, it does not come with anti-reverse, you’d think they’d throw it into a reel this sophisticated, but no. The line roller bearing does seem to fail in a few of the reels, Shimano will replace this for you though. The bail arm is a bit stiff, which is good or bad depending on your personal preferences.

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Pflueger has always made great reels and the President is no different. These reels are super smooth, built to last and give you a lot for your money.

All models come encased in a graphite body with a stainless steel shaft and an aluminum handle. This keeps them very light, comfortable to use and corrosion-resistant. Key if you are planning on using them in both salt and freshwater.

Each one is built with a 10 bearing system, that is a lot more bearings than most models. This is what gives you such a smooth retrieve. The reel is light, ensuring you can cast all day long and has a stainless steel/oil felt drag that you can rely on when you are fighting a big fish.

This ultralight spinning reel comes with anti-reverse and it is easily turned on and off at the flick of a switch. The braid ready double anodized aluminum spool is a bonus. Getting braid on a reel is not always easy and this will be a real time saver. Although this ultralight spinning reel comes with a braid ready spool, the line can bunch up which is annoying to deal with when you are out ultralight fishing.

Another issue this reel tends to have is that the bail arm can click closed mid cast, again frustrating, and you may lose a few lures to this. The gears can also grind after a few uses, this is not in all cases but it is something to be aware of.

SHIMANO Sedona FI

We all know and trust Shimano, they do a great job at making fishing equipment and the Sedona F1 is no exception. Shimano has taken technologies from their more expensive reels and has put them in one we can all afford.

This ultralight spinning reel features the cold-forged HAGANE gear system, meaning it will remain very smooth on the retrieve for a long time. It is robust enough to withstand heavy use in a salty offshore environment, that’s tough!

It includes the G Free Body system which moves the reel’s center of gravity closer to the rod and the angler. This makes for much easier casting, and you’ll notice it after long days on the water. This ultralight spinning reel also includes a propulsion line management system. This lets the line off the spool in smaller loops to prevent any backlash and wind knots as well as helping you cast further. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it?

The reel does not include an anti-reverse which a lot of fishermen do without but, if it is an important feature for you, bear that in mind

Abu Garcia Revo X

This ultralight spinning reel is not trying to be anything special, it just gets the job done. This is a very light-weight reel for the price thanks to the carbon body design and all in all is a simple smooth functioning piece of kit.

With a six ball-bearing system, it provides quick and smooth retrieves and it has enough drag for you to be in control. The rocket line management system combined with the braid ready spool, allows you to fish braid, mono, and fluoro easily. It assists with line control and backlash, reducing those annoying twists and wind knots.

It’s made from high-quality materials, none of which should corrode and are happy to be used in saltwater. I’m not a fan of the PVC handle, as grippy as it is, it doesn’t feel nice, but that’s me.

The ultralight reel arm is known to stick and the bearings can grind after some use. These reports are few and far between, the majority of people ultralight fishing with this reel love it!

KastKing Sharky III

The first thing that gets me about this ultralight spinning reel is the weight vs the max drag vs the price. How do they do it and does it compromise quality somehow?

This ultralight reel comes in a variety of sizes and was built with toughness in mind. It has up to 18kg of maximum drag which is made from a triple-disc carbon fiber system. This provides a very smooth strong drag, giving you the edge against big fish but is certainly overkill if you are just fishing for trout.

The reel is very light thanks to the high percentage fiber-reinforced graphite body. It comes with anti-reverse and an aluminum handle and a braid ready aluminum spool, very handy.

Sharky has added a shield system to keep water and dirt out. This seems to work but there are mixed reports of the ultralight reel failing after use in saltwater. This makes me think it is a bit hit or miss.

The line is known to bunch up and create a lot of wind knots on the retrieve.  As well as this, there are rare reports of parts falling off, perhaps some quality control has been missed.